Have an old cabinet sitting in the garage—or better yet, a thrift-store find just waiting to shine? This project is your permission slip to unleash your inner alchemist. With just a few tools, Alchemy by Fusion’s paint in rich, earthy tones, and a bit of creativity, you can turn a dated cabinet into a modern, open-concept pantry that’s equal parts functional and fabulous.
Let’s walk through this satisfying transformation, step by step.
Products Used:
- Staalmeester Brush
- TSP Alternative
- Alchemy by Fusion Sandstone
- Alchemy by Fusion Terracotta
- Alchemy by Fusion Sienna

🧽 Step 1: Prep Like a Pro
Before the magic begins, it’s time to clean up. This piece from Value Village had great bones but needed a little love (and a serious dusting). A quick wipe-down with Fusion’s TSP Alternative and a gentle scuff sand with a sanding sponge made all the difference. No intense elbow grease needed—just enough to remove gloss and help the paint grip beautifully.
🛠 Pro tip: If your piece has high-shine or glossy areas, degloss them with light sanding for better adhesion.
🚪 Step 2: Ditch the Doors
This transformation was all about creating a fresh, open-concept pantry look. So, off came the dated cabinet doors—along with their decorative flourishes. With a drill and a few wood filler touch-ups where the hardware had been, we were left with a sleek canvas ready for paint.


🎨 Step 3: Choose Your Alchemy
For this ombre effect, we paired Sienna, a sultry, terracotta hue, with Sandstone, a lighter shade with a whisper of pink. The result? A warm, earthy fade that feels cozy and elevated.
We started by painting the base of the cabinet with Sienna, using a Staalmeester microfiber roller for quick, smooth coverage. Rollers make light work of large flat areas and leave behind a beautiful, brushstroke-free finish, especially when you’re using a high-quality one that doesn’t shed or leave an orange peel texture behind.


For grooves, corners, and those hard-to-reach places, a Staalmeester oval brush and the pointed sash brush were absolute MVPs. These brushes are made to hug edges, reach details, and leave you with a smooth, tapered finish. The pointed sash in particular is a must-have for spindles, curved trim, and tight corners.
Note: Alchemy has a thicker texture, so don’t overload your roller or brush. Less is more—especially if you want to avoid drips or a textured surface.
Then we did the same steps with Terracotta.


🌀 Step 4: The Art of the Ombre
Here’s where the magic happens. With the bottom half painted in Sienna, the middle painted in Terracotta and the top prepped for Sandstone, we brought in our Spalter One Series flat brush and a mister (yes, just water!) to help blend the tones.

How to blend:
- Start by applying your second colour (Sandstone) above the first.
- Use the mister to lightly spray the blend zone.
- Take your Spalter brush and gently work in horizontal strokes back and forth—feathering the colours into each other.
- You’ll need to add some fresh Terracotta and Sienna ( the darker tones ) for the blending to happen – you need the paint to be wet to blend.
- Keep misting and brushing as needed until the transition looks soft and seamless.

The result? A gorgeous, moody ombre effect that looks high-end and hand-crafted.
Ombre Open-Concept Pantry

♻️ Sustainable & Reusable
One of the best parts about this project? The tools are not one-and-done. Fusion’s rollers and brushes are made to last—you can wash and reuse them, making them a smarter choice for both your wallet and the planet.
💡 Final Thoughts


From dusty and forgotten to a jaw-dropping feature piece, this cabinet makeover shows what’s possible when you unleash your creativity with the right tools, colours, and a little guidance.
Whether you’re blending colours for the first time or experimenting with a bold new shade, Fusion’s Alchemy line makes it easier (and more beautiful) than ever to express your style.
So next time you see a sad old cabinet? Don’t walk away—imagine what it could become.
Don’t forget to tag us in your project—because we can’t wait to see how you unleash your inner alchemist.
Ready to roll? 🎨